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GERMAN POLICE HAVE sealed off a major shopping centre in the central city of Essen citing the threat of a terror attack.
The country is on high-alert following scenes of carnage at a Christmas market in Berlin in December, when an Islamic State jihadist rammed a truck into a crowd of pedestrians, killing 12 people.
“The shopping centre will be closed all Saturday due to security concerns. The police have concrete information regarding a possible attack,” local police said in a statement published on social media.
Though there was no announcement of arms or explosives being found, police said two men had been picked up for questioning. Both men were arrested in the town of Oberhausen near Essen but later police said in a statement that the pair “are not suspects” in the case.
Security services quoted by the Bild newspaper described the threat as a potential multiple suicide bombing at the mall, one of the biggest in the country.
“Many agents are deployed onsite. This is a major operation,” a local police spokesman told AFP, indicating the lockdown included the 200-store Limbecker Platz in downtown Essen, nearby parking garages and an underground rail station.
Sniffer dogs were also been deployed at the site. Essen, which is in the industrial Ruhr region, has a population of approximately 500,000.
The police said they had been alerted to the threat by “another department” but no German agency has confirmed if it was involved.
Interior ministry spokesman Tobias Plate told AFP that the operation was being handled by the local police force but added that his ministry was in “constant touch” with the GTAZ, a joint counter-terrorism centre used by 40 internal security agencies.
Last July, a German-Iranian teenager who police say was obsessed with mass murderers, shot dead nine people at a Munich shopping mall before turning the gun on himself.
Domestic security officials estimate there are some 10,000 radical Islamists in Germany, with roughly 1,600 among them suspected of being capable of violence.
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for attacks in Germany in the past year, including the murder of a teen in Hamburg, a suicide bombing in Ansbach and an axe rampage on a train in Wuerzberg that injured five.
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Humm… that travel ban is beginning to look like a good idea.
@B Gaffn: Based on what?
@kerry Blake, oh i don’t know, the significant increase in terror attacks across the EU/world by Islamic terrorists. Or have you been to busy decorating that bubble you live.
Based on the FACT that Europe is being systematically destabilised and many who support that are sitting in icory towers in overwhelming ly white areas like Cotswolds,England
Time for european ban on muslim countries, and any refugee or asylum seeker caught breaking any law even littering should be deported staight away
@David Panda Byrne: So a possible alleged attack is reported in Germany and your going to ban all those from Muslim countries? I’d suggest you should emigrate to America but ironically Trump’s policies would mean you could not get in…..
I can get in no problem as I am not from a muslim country with extremists views, at end of the day europe is a white contintnent and no need to change that, as Ireland is a White country, why should we change that for any culture, look at Dublin now, number of streets with no irish businesses, some all chinese and middle eastern shops taking over, it will be like Britain they have places where a white men or women can not enter and if we allow you to enter our counrty only LAW u follow is IRISH LAW not SHARIA LAW or some other rubbish, it is RACIST now to be Pro Irish and Pro White
They’re all out to get us!!! You’re an idiot I’ve worked with Muslim people for the best part of 20 years. All welcome in my country and my home but well done for letting ISIS influence your mind. Must not have been too strong to start.
@Deborah Behan: Wow, you’re so ignorant Deborah. They’re nice to you now, but they won’t hesitate to vote for politicians that support advancing Islam, in turn taking away your rights. Seriously, you’re a girl. Do you have any idea how Muslim women are treated!?? You’re selling your gender down the toilet for future generations.
You do realise Islamic State get their influence and mandate from the Koran?? Ever worked with an Islamist?
@Deborah
You are living in cuckoo land, if you believe they wudnt turn on you in a heartbeat, ISIS have nothing to do with the fact that they wont integrate and anytime they are caught red handed in criminal situations they play the RACE card, hard working IRISH people are fed up of been taking advantage of by these dirty people, we need to stand up for ourselves, as i said I am PRO IRISH and PRO WHITE…..Multicultural society does not work….
A lot of incidents have been happening recently. Seems like the Islamists are preparing for something big.
I cannot remember reading about any terrorist attacks in Germany in recent times until Merkels immigration policy. What a way to F×ck your Country.
@DMurph: well said shell be returned so they say despite all that blood on her hands. Makes you wonder, would the UK take Blair back in office if it were feasible?
Oh there you are sweetcheeks!!
tea biccies, if you can find someone in your village who can read, they could go through the articles I’ve posted above with you. I’m off out for the night now so enjoy your World of Warcraft session and Infowars podcasts!
Wanna come join me?? The fire is lit, I’ve got hot chocolate and marshmallows AND I give excellent massages ; -)
This must be one of the benefits of multiculturalism they didn’t tell us about…
The chickens have come home to roost.
Die Hühner sind nach Hause gekommen.
@Jason Maguire:
Trolls are heroes in our midst.
@Jason Maguire: theres a good comment in there but the issue for Europe is Islamic immigration and to question that at this point is, frankly, lunacy
Triggered^^^
@Emmet O’Keeffe: Angela’s folly, by throwing open EU borders to the Allah brigade’s, has destroyed European culture, peace, custom’s , and way of life that has taken decades to develop, all at the behest of Suderland and the rest of the Globalist’s, all of whom will be in their mansions behind security gate’s. Time to put a stop to this unworkable madness, before we are completely overrun by a culture and mindset, that is totally at variance with Western Democracy and lifestyle’s. They will not assimilate, and go on to create their own no go areas and practice their archaic Sharia law’s.
@Seán Domhnall O’Sullivan: I agree with his comment here. Just pointing out that he should take some time off – go for a walk or even get a job.
Well said
Jason Maguire. You sound like his stalker !
@Jason Maguire:
Cheers for your concern Jason. I’m a house husband (well father actually – I’m not married – and a student – so lots on my plate)
Anyway, play the ball not the man as they say in GAA circles.
Wishing you the best in your own promising career.
@Suzie Sunshine:
Taking the time to analyse someone’s online activity is rather disturbing but I think Jayo’s OK.
Needs to hone his social skills a tad but I have every faith he’ll get there in the end.
The anger management course will bring him on leaps and bounds.
@Emmet O’Keeffe: Tuam?
@OpenBorders:
No.
Ballybeg.
@Suzie Sunshine:
Firstly, I made up those stats, you dope – but they’re probably accurate. The guy is constant & ubiquitous on here.
Secondly, it’s always funny seeing Emmet/Tommy/Cal/etc log into his “Suzie Sunshine” account to come to his own defence. Sad, sad, man.
You reap what you sew.
Time you moved on. I will contribute towards a one way ticket to Saudi for you. And obviously a basket to catch your head when inventively their justice is imposed
Sie ernten, was Sie Nähen
Emmet O”Keeffe .. seeing the good in people .. that’s a great quality to have .
Ah Jason . ‘I like the way you felt the need to tell me that . But again you’ re telling fibs .. Emmet has all male accounts .. Do try and keep up .. good man .
@Suzie Sunshine:
Christian compassion.
It’s our culture boss.
The media dare not print about the big white elephant in the room and that is Frau merkal has fecked up big time.are the media afraid to do some proper journalism about her policies and how the eu is falling down because of it
a citizen from every country in Europe has been murdered by Muslims,and it not going to stop anytime soon
*from terrorists. Corrected that for you.
The article has a ton of mistakes,given the sensitive subject
Hire a competent editor editor
You need to read the book people the people vs Mohammad from amazon
I think we should bring in more muslims
We are. .
Where’s Open Borders???? Thought he’d be here banging on about the alt right and white supremacists!! I miss him…Where are you pet
He’s prob tending to his harem of Goats and Camels.
My bi polar meds have me a bit wiped out of late.
Oh dear I’m sorry to hear that. I hope you’re altright :-(
People I suggest you look up Brigitte Gabriel on YouTube she will blow your mind about the Muslims agenda
Its not too coincidental this surge in serious crime across Germany and Europe has tied in with the surge in 3rd world migrants into europe which Merkel encouraged.
Ah sure if you bring in a million Muslims and only 25% have radical leanings that’s only 250,000 potential terrorists. Nothing to worry about.
Europe is in trouble the influx of islamists lately has destroyed europes peace
have your say